Google Engineer Arrested for Using Insider Data to Win $1.2 Million on Bets

A Google software engineer has been arrested in the U.S. on charges of wire fraud, commodities fraud, and money laundering after allegedly exploiting confidential company information for personal gain. Michele Spagnuolo, an Italian national working for Google, is accused of using non-public "Year in Search" data to make highly profitable prediction bets.

Spagnuolo allegedly accessed internal search trend data through his role at Google. He then used this insider information on the prediction platform Polymarket to bet on the popularity of singer D4vd. Specifically, he wagered that D4vd would rank among Google's top five most searched individuals in 2025, and even become the most searched person of the year. At the time of his bets, Polymarket offered very low odds on D4vd topping the rankings.

However, Google's internal data had already indicated D4vd's surge in popularity, surpassing artists like Kendrick Lamar. Leveraging this foresight, Spagnuolo placed bets totaling less than $1,000 and subsequently collected approximately $1.2 million in winnings. Prosecutors allege that Spagnuolo took deliberate steps to conceal the source and ownership of these illicit proceeds.

The case also intersects with D4vd's ongoing legal troubles. The singer is currently in custody, facing charges of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez in April 2025. D4vd has pleaded not guilty to the charge. It remains unconfirmed whether the singer was involved in Spagnuolo's betting scheme or had any connection to the engineer's actions. Spagnuolo was released on a $2.25 million bond following his arrest and court appearance.